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The First To Know4,031 words
Raising Your Filly2,203 words
Ghosts, Ghouls, And In-laws4,078 words
School Is For Foals3,420 words
A Horse With No Name3,553 words
Pony Pediatric3,138 words
Meet The Press4,133 words
Family Outing4,615 words
Hop, Skip, And A Jump3,022 words
Flying The Nest2,060 words

Flying The Nest

Chapter 10: Flying The Nest

It seemed as if the California sun had never shone brighter than on that day. When Fluttershy finally discovered her ability to fly, Luke and Haley knew it was time. After a few quick descrete calls, the Cloudsdale Flight Camp happily accepted her to be trained in the way of flight just like any other pegasus. The human couple never thought they would see the day. They stood outside their humble home as Fluttershy's bags were loaded onto a pegasus pulled carriage. Then came the hardest part.

Haley helped her daughter with her last bag. "Are you sure you packed everything?" she asked her with a smile.

"Toothbrush, pillow, Beanie Babies, it's all there!" replied Fluttershy.

"She certainly packs lighter than you, Haley." Luke chuckled.

"Har har." Haley rolled her eyes and joined him with their daughter.

"Um, Daddy," said Fluttershy. "Is Flight Camp going to be...scary?"

Luke grinned and knelt down to her. "There's nothing to worry about, Fluttershy. You'll be making lots of new friends; and they'll be ponies just like you. You'll have a great time."

"Just remember to be yourself, sweetie." Haley added.

"Fluttershy!"

The filly looked to the side to see Scott running up to her from his house across the street. He stopped to catch his breath. "I just wanted to say good luck, Fluttershy," the boy said. "I'm going to miss you."

Fluttershy smiled. "I'll miss you too, Scott." She then gave him a smooch on the cheek making him blush. "Thanks for being my friend."

"We're all set when you are, Miss!" called one of the chauffeurs.

Trying to keep back the tears in her eyes, Fluttershy finally turned to her father. She nuzzled his pant leg like she always did to butter him up. "Daddy, are you crying?"

Luke wiped away a tear of his own. "Just sweating happiness, sweetheart."

But Fluttershy could not contain her emotion for longer. She quickly wrapped her hooves around her father with his arms grasping her as well. As she gently let out her tears, Luke whispered.

"Be safe, Fluttershy. I love you."

"I love you too, Daddy." Then, she turned to her beautiful mother who grabbed her in another warm embrace.

Haley reminisced to the day she first held her dear filly in her loving arms and savored every last second. She then parted, looked into her eyes and said simply.

"Don't look back."

Fluttershy sniffled. "I love you, Mommy."

"I love you too, Fluttershy."

With that, Fluttershy took one final look at the humans who brought her up into the world. She felt the urge to run back up and hug them both again, but she heeded her mother's word and only gave one last smile before dissapearing into the taxi. The carriage then took off, carrying Luke and Haley's precious little girl away.

"We did well." Haley said as she wiped her eyes. "We really did well."

"She's going to be okay." Luke said to his wife, holding her.

"You think so?"

"Of course." He answered and kissed her. "It's like I said, she's more human than we are."

...

After the long flight to Equestria, Fluttershy finally arrived at the Cloudsdale Flight Camp, and she was immediately struck by culture shock. She was first amazed by the effect of walking on the cloud surface; it felt like walking on a carpet made of cotton balls. Upon entering the academy, she gazed up and around in astonishment at the young pegasi zooming to and fro over her head. She couldn't possibly imagine herself flying that fast or half as high. Along the way, Fluttershy saw a number of flying coaches instructing classes, but she couldn't bring up the nerve to speak to any of them. It was elementary school all over again.

"Heads up!"

Just then, Fluttershy looked behind to see what looked like a pony hurdling towards her at the speed of light. In the nick of time, she ducked her head in her hooves as the speeding pegasus whooshed over her. After a brief moment of shaking, Fluttershy peeked up and saw the speed demon who nearly rammed her.

"Sorry about that, kid."

The juvenile pegasus filly featured a sky blue coat, magenta eyes, and a striking multicolored mane and tail. She stared at Fluttershy with a broad smile and a curious look in her eyes, as she extended her blue hoof to help her up.

"I was just trying to break my own speed record; still gotta work on the landing though." The pegasus explained.

Fluttershy nervously scanned her eyes away from the stranger. "Oh, um, it's okay."

"You must be new here. What's your name, kid?"

"...Um...Fluttershy..."

"Sorry, what?"

"...I'm...Fluttershy..."

"Speak up, will ya?"

She only gave a squeak as she hid behind her pink mane.

"Ah don't worry about it, kid," the pegasus shrugged. "It's normal to be nervous the first day. The name's Rainbow Dash!" She then extended her hoof again expecting a bro hoof.

"Um, nice to meet you." Fluttershy gingerly touched the blue hoof not sure what to do.

"So, where are you from?"

She hesitated before answering, thinking back to the emotional departure from her parents. Then she remembered the razzing she got from the human school kids for being the only pony. If she mentioned being raised by humans to this other pegasus, history might have repeated itself.

"Um, just this small town." She stretched the truth. "I don't really like talking about my family too much."

"Don't sweat it!" replied Rainbow Dash. "If you ask me, the only family you need are your friends. Just stick with me, kid, and you'll be soarin' high as a kite! What was your name again?"

"Um...Fluttershy."

"Fluttershy, I can tell you and I are gonna be great friends!"

For the first time since she left her mother and father, Fluttershy finally smiled. "Thanks, Rainbow Dash."

...

Present Day

"So that's pretty much it." Fluttershy said with a heavy sigh.

She and Twilight had finally returned to her bed to conclude her long and emotional story. It was well past midnight and the Parents Night party seemed to be long forgotten. Twilight took a moment to soak the story of her friend's life in.

"That was so touching, Fluttershy." She said. "But there's still one thing I don't fully understand. Why haven't you told us this before? Not even Rainbow?"

"I told you, Twilight, it's just too sad. At first I didn't want to tell Rainbow in Flight Camp because I was afraid of getting picked on again. But now that I've grown up, it's been getting harder and harder to break the news. I mean, being a human raised orphan is not something you just drop into the middle of conversation. Besides, you know me, Twilight; I can't speak up to save my own life. I'm so sorry for keeping this from you."

"Was it really that hard to leave them?"

She nodded. "Yes. And the more I think back to those days, the sadder I feel about it." Fluttershy then curled up on her bed in a lonely ball. "They were the only family I ever had, and they let me go so I can lead a normal pony life. I miss them so much."

Twilight then gently grabbed her pal in a comforting hug. "Fluttershy, I'm sorry you had to deal with that as a child. Your parents sounded like amazing humans and it was a shame you had to leave them. But I just want you to know one thing. As long as you have me, Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack, and Rarity, you'll always have a family."

Fluttershy looked at her gratefully. "You mean it?"

"You better believe it!" came the voice of Rainbow Dash from the doorway.

The two looked to see her, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity all crowded at the open door with brimming smiles. All four entered and surrounded Fluttershy in a warm group hug.

"We're your family, Fluttershy," said Twilight joining in. "We all love you."

Fluttershy embraced her friends' loving touch, as a single tear of joy dripped down her face. She knew quite well that she truly had a family after all.

...

Epilogue

The house hadn't changed a bit. Fluttershy marveled at the humble abode, brimming with anticipation. She slowly walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell, not quite sure what to expect. The door opened revealing a young female human in white nurse's scrubs who greeted her with a knowing smile.

"You must be Fluttershy." The nurse said.

"Yes," answered Fluttershy. "Um, are they home?"

The nurse beckoned her inside. "She's in the kitchen. Go right on in."

"Thank you." She entered the small house and looked around at the familiar decor as she proceeded down the hall. But the only familiar sight she was hoping to see was right in the kitchen.

She then heard the soft lyrical sound of humming coming from up ahead. Upon entering the kitchen, Fluttershy found a woman standing at the sink washing dishes while humming away. Her crimson hair had turned silver, yet the middle aged woman still retained her elegant beauty. Then, she stopped her humming and seemed to freeze where she stood.

"I knew you'd come." She spoke softly.

The woman slowly turned around to reveal her aged yet alluring face. "Fluttershy!" smiled Haley.

"Hi Mommy." Fluttershy grinned back.

Her mother then knelt down to hug her tightly. "I can't believe you're back! You've gotten so big!"

Fluttershy giggled. "Being an animal caretaker is quite a workout."

Haley wiped a tear of happiness. "So you finally did it, huh?" She gave her a tender kiss on the head. "You look so beautiful, sweetheart. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too." She then parted from her mother's embrace. "So...where is he?"

Haley took the hint. "He's in the living room. Go to him."

With that, Fluttershy entered the familiar cozy living room full of memories. That's when she saw him. Sleeping on a cushioned chair with an open novel was an old man who had once shared his wife's youth. His black wavy hair was now dissapearing and a pair of biphocals rested on his wrinkled face. Fluttershy approached the old man and spoke softly.

"Daddy?"

Surprisingly, the quiet greeting stirred the old man awake as he lifted his head slowly. "That voice." He uttered simply in a deepened tone. He then looked in front on him and fiddled with his glasses to see if his eyes were not fooling him. "Is it...is it really you?"

Fluttershy nuzzled the old man's pant leg. "Yes, Daddy, it's really me."

A smile stretched on Luke's face as he reached for his cherished daughter. "Come here." He said, beckoning her to hug him. With his little filly in his grasp, he whispered.

"I missed you, Fluttershy."

"I missed you too, Daddy."

"So tell me...did you fly?"

"Yes, Daddy, I flew...I finally flew..."

The End

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